How to Install Artificial Turf on Concrete: A Complete DIY Guide

Yes, you can put turf on concrete, and it’s one of the easiest DIY installs we see. Patios, pool decks, balconies, and side yards that are nothing but slab can all take artificial grass. But laying artificial grass on concrete is a different job from laying it on dirt. There’s no base to build. The work goes into the surface, the drainage, and how you fasten the turf down.

Get those three right and the turf lasts for years. Get them wrong and you’ll be dealing with bubbling, odor, and seams that lift. Below is the full process, plus straight answers on underlay, glue, and when you can skip the glue entirely.

Installing over dirt instead? Follow our guide to installing artificial grass on dirt. The steps are completely different.

Can You Put Turf on Concrete?

Yes, as long as three things are true:

• The concrete is sound. Hairline cracks are fine. Wide cracks, loose chunks, or slabs that rock mean there’s damage underneath, and turf won’t hide it for long.
• The surface is reasonably flat. Small dips can be patched. Big humps will show through the turf.
• Water has somewhere to go. Concrete doesn’t absorb anything. If water can’t run off the edge or drain through, it sits under your turf.

That third one decides most of what follows.

Do You Need Underlay for Artificial Grass on Concrete?

Not always, but we recommend it for most installs.

Turf laid straight onto concrete feels hard underfoot, and the slab underneath shows every bump. A foam shock pad fixes both. It gives a softer, more natural feel, softens falls, quiets footsteps on balconies, and helps the turf last longer.

Use underlay for: play areas, pet areas, rooftops and balconies, anywhere people walk barefoot, and any slab that isn’t perfectly smooth.

You can skip it for: a small, smooth, mostly decorative area that won’t see much foot traffic.

For pets, use a non-absorbent foam pad, never anything that soaks up liquid. Our In-Depth DIY Guide to Foam Shock Pads helps you choose.

Tools and Materials

Surface prep

• Broom or pressure washer
• Degreaser, if there are oil or grease stains
• Concrete patching compound and a trowel
• Long level or straight edge
• Garden hose

Drainage and comfort

• Masonry drill bit, if you’ll be drilling drainage holes
• Foam shock pad underlay or drainage panels

Fastening

• Turf adhesive rated for concrete
• Seam tape
• Trowel or notched spreader
• Utility knife with plenty of fresh blades
• Weights (sandbags, pavers, buckets) to hold turf while the glue cures

Finishing

• Stiff push broom or power brush
• Silica sand infill (optional)

For a deeper look at what each tool does, see our list of important tools for DIY artificial grass installation.

Step-by-Step: How to Lay Artificial Grass on Concrete

Step 1: Clean the Concrete

Sweep or pressure wash the whole surface. Scrub out oil and grease with degreaser, since adhesive won’t bond to a greasy slab. Then let it dry completely. Glue on damp concrete is glue that lets go.

Step 2: Repair Cracks and Low Spots

Fill cracks and dips with patching compound and let it cure. Run your level across the slab. Anything you can feel with your hand, you’ll eventually see through the turf.

Step 3: Run a Water Test

Hose the area down and watch where water goes. If it runs off an edge, great: you’ll leave gaps in your glue line on that side (Step 9). If it pools in the middle, you need a drainage fix before going further.

Step 4: Fix Drainage Where Water Pools

You have two options.

Drill drainage holes at the low spots with a masonry bit. This only works if there’s soil under the slab for water to drain into, so check before you drill. Never drill a balcony, rooftop, or any slab over a room or garage.

Use drainage panels or a drainage-rated shock pad. These create channels under the turf so water can travel to an edge. This is the right choice for balconies, rooftops, and slabs you can’t drill.

Step 5: Lay the Underlay

Roll out your foam pad, butt the edges together without overlapping, and trim to fit. Glue it down in sections. Leave gaps in the glue, or use a pad with built-in drainage holes, so water isn’t trapped between pad and concrete.

Step 6: Unroll the Turf and Let It Relax

Roll the turf out across the area and give it a few hours in the sun to flatten. Lay every piece with the blades pointing the same direction, ideally toward where you’ll view it most. Mixed grain shows up as a color difference between pieces.

Step 7: Dry-Fit and Trim

Before any glue comes out, lay everything in its final position. Cut from the back with a sharp utility knife, a few stitch rows at a time, and leave a little extra at first. Trimming more is easy. Adding it back isn’t.

Step 8: Seam the Pieces

Butt the edges tight. Fold both sides back, center the seam tape underneath, spread adhesive on the tape, and press the turf down into it.

Step 9: Glue the Turf Down

Fold the turf back in sections and spread adhesive on the concrete or pad, focusing on the perimeter and along the seams. Two rules matter here:

• Leave gaps in the glue line on the low side so water can flow out from under the turf.
• Never cover drainage holes with glue.

Press the turf firmly into the adhesive and walk it down.

Step 10: Weigh It Down and Let It Cure

Set weights along seams and edges and leave them until the adhesive fully cures. Follow the cure time on your adhesive’s label, and keep foot traffic off until then. Turf that moves while the glue is wet won’t sit flat later.

Step 11: Brush It Up (and Add Infill if You Want)

Brush the fibers upright with a stiff broom or power brush. A light layer of silica sand infill helps the blades stand and adds weight, but keep it light on concrete so it doesn’t wash toward drains.

How to Attach Artificial Grass to Concrete

You have three ways to secure turf to concrete, and the right one depends on the space.

Turf adhesive is the standard for patios, pool decks, and anything outdoors that sees real use. Glue the perimeter and seams, and leave drainage gaps as described above.

Double-sided turf tape is quicker and less messy. It suits small, sheltered areas like a balcony or a smooth indoor slab. It’s less durable outdoors than adhesive.

Loose-laid with weight works for flat roofs, where you don’t want to damage the roof membrane, and for temporary setups. Heavy furniture and planters hold the turf in place.

Which Glue Works Best on Concrete?

Use an adhesive made specifically for synthetic turf and rated for concrete. We carry two we trust:

XGS Turf Glue is moisture-cured and bonds turf backing to concrete, asphalt, road base, rubber tiles, decomposed granite, foam padding, and wood. There’s nothing to mix: open it and apply. It’s available in quarts, ½ gallon, 1 gallon, and 5-gallon buckets.

Mapei PU-1K is a fast-setting, moisture-cured urethane adhesive developed for artificial grass installs, available in 1-gallon buckets.

Whichever you choose, follow the manufacturer’s spread rate and cure time.

Can You Put Artificial Grass on Concrete Without Glue?

You can, but only in a few situations. Loose turf on concrete shifts, bunches, and curls at the edges, especially outdoors where wind, rain, and foot traffic all move it around.

Going glue-free makes sense for:

• Flat roofs, where glue or fasteners could damage the waterproofing
• Small, sheltered balconies held in place by furniture and planters
• Temporary installs like events or rentals

For a backyard patio, pool deck, pet area, or anything that gets real use, glue at least the perimeter and seams. Double-sided turf tape is a reasonable middle ground for small spaces.

Turf on a Patio, Balcony, Rooftop, or Indoors

Concrete patios are the most common job. Most are already sloped to shed water, so the water test usually confirms you can glue the perimeter and leave gaps on the downhill edge.

Balconies and rooftops need extra care. Check your building or HOA rules first, never drill, and use drainage panels or a drainage-rated pad. A shock pad also cuts footstep noise for neighbors below.

Indoor slabs (garages, gyms, basements) don’t need drainage planning, but the slab must be completely dry. Double-sided tape or adhesive both work, and a shock pad makes a big difference for comfort.

Pet areas on concrete need the most drainage of all. Use a non-absorbent pad and make sure water can clear the surface fast. Our Pet Turf System is built for exactly this.

FAQs About Artificial Turf on Concrete

Can you lay artificial grass straight onto concrete?

Yes, if the slab is smooth, sound, and drains. For most outdoor spaces, though, we recommend a foam shock pad underneath for comfort and longevity.

How long does it take to install artificial grass on concrete?

That depends on the size of your project. Many of our DIY customers finish in a day or a weekend. Plan around your adhesive’s cure time before the space gets used.

Can you lay turf on uneven concrete?

Small dips and cracks can be patched before you start. If the slab has major cracks, loose sections, or big humps, fix or replace the concrete first, or consider removing it and installing over a compacted base instead.

How much does artificial grass cost?

It depends on the size of the area, the turf you choose, and whether you need underlay. To save money, check our Closeout Specials: quality turf we no longer stock, priced to clear. They sell out fast.

Get Everything for Your Concrete Install in One Trip

Turf, shock pads, adhesive, seam tape, and infill are all in stock at Artificial Turf Express, ready for pickup at 370 Umbarger Rd in San Jose. Browse our artificial grass selection and accessories, or grab our free Product Comparison Guide, which comes with a 5% off coupon.

Questions about your project? Call us at (408) 960-2255 or send us a message.